Control mechanism and circuit for garage doors and the like



April 14, 1959 c. A. MOORE 2,882,045

CONTROL MECHANISM AND CIRCUIT FOR GARAGE DOORS AND \THE LIKE Filed March 12, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zvff -4 g INVENTOR.

Cuvex H. Moaze BY M, Mb@ Y Mb@ ATTOENEY April 14, 1959 c. A. MoRE 2,882,045

CONTROL MECHANISM AND CIROUIT FOR GARAGE DOORS AND THE LIKE Filed March l2, 1956 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 o /H Z7 INVENTOR.

30 CLHEK ,4. Mange A T TOZNEY April 14,` 1,959 CQfMOQRE 2,882,045

CONTROL; MECHANISM AND CIRCUIT FOR GARAGE DOORS AND THE LIKE vFiled March 12, 1956 Y I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 nov, l ///.J /oaS 1 /07 //0 6 HD 9 //2 //`5 5?;7/6 a /7/ 23o Z4 V- /69 g/es 7 /25 /29 z Ifo l IN VEN TOR. l

zum, mf@

A r Tann: YJ

Camz A. Mone:

United States Patent O CONTROL MECHANISM AND 'CIRCUIT FOR ,f GARAGE DOORS AND THE LIKE Clark A. Moore, Waupaca, Wis., assignor to A. E. Moore Company, Inc., Waupaca, Wis., a corporation of Wiscousin Application March 12, 1956, Serial No. 570,826

16 Claims. (Cl. 268-59) This invention relates to a control mechanism and circuit particularly designed for garage door operation but useful anywhere that an operator is needed with a sensitively responding limit switch for arresting movement to prevent injury. An embodiment for garage door opening and closing is shown by way of exemplication.

A oating screw axially movable and centered by opposing springs reciprocates a trolley nut and slide connccted to the door or other object requiring actuation. The trolley moves along a guideway between adjustable stops which determine its range of movement and upon reaching one extreme of movement or the other, or, alternatively, in the event that the actuated part strikes an obstruction, in either case, the screw is displaced axially to operate a relay which immediately stops the actuating motor and establishes a circuit such that upon the next operating signal the motor will reverse its direction of operation.

A separate slide having limited reciprocation parallel to the trolley slide has ngers engaging a collar connected with the screw so that displacement of the screw operates this second slide. The collar also serves as a seat abutted by the opposing springs which normally x the axial position of the screw. The cam connected with the second slide is adjustable along the path of slide movement to vary the exact point at which it will interact with the cam follower which opens and closes a switch to energize the relay.

The relay is of special construction specifically designed for cooperation with mechanism above described.. This coil operates a three-position cam by which multiple contacts are moved in the various cam positions. In the preferred embodiment shown, the cam is duplicated six times on the periphery of a disk having step-by-step advance by a pawl connected with the armature of the relay coil to the end that the cam advances from one position to the next every time the coil is energized. One of the three positions of the switch contacts is a neutral position.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 fragmentarily illustrates a garage door and its casing in section and shows in side elevation the parts of the actuator which are connected respectively with the door and with the wall adjacent the casing.

Fig. 2 is a view taken in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of one end of the ac tuator as it appears in axial section.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of the other end of the actuator as it appears in axial section.

Fig. 5 is a View taken in transverse section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the screw displayed to actuate the limit switch.

Fig. 7 is a view taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 3 showing the parts on a further enlarged scale.

Fig. 8 is a view taken in section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. `9 is a view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. l7.

Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram.

ICC

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the specially designed relay regulating the operation of the control mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a View of the relay as viewed from the left side of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view of the relay as viewed from the bottom side of Fig. l1.

Fig. 14 is a detail view taken on the line 14-14 of Fig. l1.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary elevational view of one of the legs of the movable contact carrier of the relay as it appears without having the contact springs interlocked therewith.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail view in plan of the end of a contact spring formed for interlock with the contact carrier shown in Fig. l5.

Fig. 17 is a view in section of a special form of tubular housing and screw with yoked bearing supports employed when the screw is exceptionally long, the parts being shown on a greatly reduced scale.

Fig. 18 is a view on a somewhat enlarged scale as compared with Fig. 17 showing the yoked bearing supports for the elongated screw as they appear in perspective.

Fig. 19 is a view taken on a greatly enlarged scale on section 19-19 of Fig. 17.

In general, the application of the device to a garage and door is conventional. The door comprises sections 20, hingcdly connected by hinges 21 and provided with rollers guided in track 22 which extends upwardly beside the door opening 23 and thence rearwardly along the ceiling.

Split tube 25 houses the door operating screw 26 and provides a way for the guidance of trolley slide 27 (Fig.

4), from which depends the adjustable arm 28 connected with the top section 20 of the door. The split tube 25 may conveniently be mounted by ears 29 from a mounting board 30 on the wall above the door, the remote end of tube 25 being supported by link 31 from a mounting on the ceiling.

Within the tube at the end nearest the wall over the door is a bearing 33 within which the unthreaded end of the screw is disposed for rotation and reciprocation. A short distance outwardly from the bearing, the screw passes through an opening in the adjustable stop 34 which has the form of an angle bracket clamped by means of bolt 35 and bent washer 36 to the split side of the tube 25 to be adjustable to any desired position along the tube. The bent form of the washer causes it to deform the tube suiciently to preclude slippage when the nut is tightened on bolt 35. Fixed on the stop member 34 and projecting therefrom in a position in which it encircles the screw is a shock absorbing spring 38 receivable into a recess 39 in the end of the trolley 27.

The trolley nut desirably comprises cylinder 40 journaled for oscillation on a transverse axis of trolley slide 27 and pierced by a threaded hole, the threads of which mesh with those of the screw as best shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

An identical stop member 340 is adjustably clamped to the split tube 25 in the end thereof remote from the wall as clearly shown in Fig. 3. It supports a shock absorbing spring 380 receivable into the recess 390 of the trolley slide 27 when the slide is fed outwardly away from the door frame in a door-lifting direction.

The locations of the stop members 34 and 340 will determine the range of movement of the trolley slide and the door. As the trolley slide reaches either extreme of its range of movement, the compression developed in the spring 38 or 380 will bring about a corresponding reaction pressure axially of the screw 26 to displace the screw bodily.

When the split tube 250 and screw 26.0 are of great length, as in the case of many industrial installations in 3 which" doors often feet or more in height must be lifted, a" pan of bearingY blocks 600; 6I0` may be interposed between the trolley slide 27" and the springs 38, 380. The respective bearingblocks 600, 610 may beA connected together by straps 620,' 630"as shownin Figs. 17, A18' and.

of the trolleyfslide. A'tthat position, thev other bearing.

blockis' left substantially at the middle of the range. of movement. Thus,. there is no position of the parts in which' there is'more thanone-half'of the length ofthe screw 260'which' is unsupported.

At the end of the split tube 25 remote from the doorframe, the screw 2`6` passes through. a. pair of spaced bearings 42'and. 43'in which the. screw is vreciprocable as wellas rotatable. A` collar. 45`pinned to the screw is conned between a pair of-opposing compression: springs 46'and4'7`which bear against the Washers 48"atzopposite sides'oftheT collar and,Av at`their.A other ends, respectively seat against' thrust bearings 49" and. S0. These springs tend `to keep the screw centered against axial displacement in either directionfrom the. position shown in Fig. 3. Atthesame time, the arrangementislsuchthatthe. screw maybe axially displaced ineither direction against thei 56fand 57 of therrsplit.tubeandfhaving offset tongues-53` and`59'. respectively4 engaged-beneath the outer surfaces of.such`.anges. The. upstanding'tongues` 60 andv 61 of the-,platefreceiverthe..co1lar: 45" between them to permit relativerotation ofA the collar. respecting the. plate. while constrainingtheplate-to move axially'ofhousin-g 25l with. anyv axialy displacement ofscrew 26.

. Riveted or otherwise fastened Vto the plate isy an arm 62 inwhich the4 adjustingscrew 63 vis rotatablymounted. The camcarrier- 65 is adjustably-supported on the under side of.` thehplate: by meansy of the headedpins 66con-I nectedlswithvv the plate andfor which the cam carrier- 65 is provided with guide slots 67. The flange 68-of camcarrier 65 is` inzthreadedk vengagement .with the 4adjustment screw 63. and subject-tothe biasy of the com-pressionspring 64. Rotationoffthefscrew will move cam carrier` 65 for adjustment of the plate 55 in a directionlongitudinally of the tube 25 and axially of screw 26.

Intermediateitsi-ends, `the cam carrier 65 is provided with ancaml 70-which. may be formed by an integral deformation ofI the plate' as clearlyl shownV in Figs. 6, 7-

and 9: The purposel of the-,adjustment isv to beable to control-l the sensitivity ofthe spots with which the cam' will cause the limit-switch-to shutoff-*the motor in the' event therdownwardmoving door encounters any obstacle orreachesthe extreme of.l its movement in afdownward If. comparable problems are encountered inV direction. the-opposite direction ofmovement in some installation otherzthan,a..;garag'e.-do0r actuator, the-cam carrier may beimovedgto; thea opposite. side; of. the cam` rollerv with which it coacts, the adjusting screwf6'3-accommodating. suclr movementi The cam 70 is engaged, when the parts are at rest, with a cam follower roller 72fcarrid by alever 73 pivotedy to the housing 74 of limit switch 75. This switch has a fixed contact at 76 and a movable contact 77 normally urged closed by compression spring 78. The contact actuator 79 is engaged byleverf73'to open the limit switch 75 when the roller 72 is displaced by cam 70. Inasmuch as the cam70 willdisplace the follower:k roller 7'2lat-all times when the partsare at rest or when'they screw isin normal' operation within theY range ofmovement vper,-AY

mitted-slide 27, it follows that the self-closing limittswitcli 75 will ordinarily be open. However, upon anyr axial displacement of the screw which is suicient to cause the cam 70'to`clear the rollery 72, the limitlswitclrwill'close to stop the motorv throughY the Operation of the relay presently to be described.

The precise point at which the limit switch will close as shown in Fig.'y 6 willrdepend in part-upon` the extcnt'of cam 701axially of the screw, but it will also dependiin.. part` upon tb'e'adjustment of the cam. so as to varyther. relative position of the cam abovethe roller.. Thus, withL the screw collar 45 centered. by springs 46.and 47.VY shown in Fig. 3,' it will be noted that thecam follower" is at the extreme end of the available surface` of"cam 70 so that upon the slightest displacement of the cam to, .the left, consequent upon engagement of the doorqwitli any,

obstruction (or upon theslide 27 reaching ,stop 3`4 which... it is. approaching inFig. 4), the screw 26 audits/collar.v 45 willlbe displaced to the left and the limit switchwill"` close as shownin Fig, 6.

The. manner in which the limit switch regulates the operation is best shown by reference to sheet 3" of thc'- drawings, Figs. l0`to 16.

The conventional motor 52has a starting windingY at 153 and a running winding 154. The motor is4 oflthel induction type and will operate in either direction acc'orrdi ingto the relative connectionsto these windings: The usual automatic cutout switch 155. is incorporated'in thei motor starting winding'circuit, usually being'opened cen trifu'gally after the motor starts; Also incorporated. in

the motor conventionallyis al thermostatic overloackcir cuit breaking device 156; One'ofthe features ofthe in'.

vention involves the'. powering of all control circuits' through" thermostatic circuit" breaker 156V ofJ the motor:

A special relay' is` used. This comprises'pars of"dou ble throw switches as diagrammatically shown in Fig'.v ll)v and illustratedY in Figs'. 13y and ll.

Each ofthe switches 165, 166, 167 and` lsicomprises a normally centered movableI contact 169 supportediorr a spring 17@ and upperV and lower relatively'xed conl tacts 171, 172, respectively supported on springs 173, 174;

The springs 170 which support the movable contacts169"' of the severalV switches are'extended'and'mutuallyinteplockediwiththe'legs 175, 176 of the dielectric actuator 177. The ends'of the springs and the side margins'of'tthe. aci tuator have interlocking notches at 178'and"179 as"sep'= arately illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16.

Thus the several movable contacts 169iare all operated concurrently into engagement with therespective upper'l contacts 171 or' the respective lower contacts 172; It ishv noteworthy that there is alsoan intermediate position* ofvv move the contact actuator 177 to which the end ofith'e` lever is pivoted'at 93. The fulc'rum ofthe lever is` provided by a xed pivot 94.

Each of the several lobes-ofthe cam has a-high point at 95, a low point-m96 and two'ntermediatefpoints at 97 and 98. When the roller 91 is engaged with the low points 96 of any lobe, the inherent bias of the springs 170, acting through the actuator 177 to hold the roller 91 to cam 90, will cause the respective movable contacts 169 to engage the lower relatively fixed contact 172 of the several switches 165, 166, 167, 168. In the respective intermediate positions 97, 9S of the respective lobes, the movable contacts 169 of the several switches will ybe open as shown in Figs. 10 and 13. As the cam rotates beneath cam follower roller 91 to engage such roller with the portion 95 of a particular lobe, the actuator 177 will be displaced to engage moving contacts 169 of the several switches with the relatively fixed upper contacts 171 thereof.

The stepping cam 90 may have as many lobes as may be desired. It has been convenient to use six lobes as shown, the cycle of operation being repeated six times in each rotation of the stepping cam 90.

The stepping cam may be made to perform an entirely separate function in the opening and closing of the relatively movable and fixed contacts 100 and 101 of switch 102 as best shown in Fig. 1l. The movable contact 100 is carried on a spring 103 elbowed at 104 to engage cam buttons 105 positioned on the face of cam 90 at corresponding points respecting the several lobes. In the particular embodiment shown, this switch operates a lamp 107 which may illuminate the garage sufficiently to enable the operator to see his way to any desired point as, for example, the regular garage lighting system switch l (not shown).

Referring to the wiring diagram, Fig. 10, the line conductor 108 is connected to the thermal overload switch 156 of the motor 52 and thence via conductor 109 to the primary of transformer 110 which is connected to the other line conductor 111. The transformer 110 has a secondary 112 which supplies reduced voltage (24 volts is satisfactory) to the coil 80 and the various switches 168 of the relay.

The output connection from the thermal overload switch 156 also leads to conductor 113 to the starting winding 153 of the motor 52. A return connection is provided through cutout switch 155 which opens, usually centrifugally, after the motor reaches running speed, closing whenever the motor stops or drops below running speed. l

Through the cutout switch, when the latter is closed, the starting winding 153 is connected by conductor 114 with the movable contact 169 of switch 165. The contact 171 of switch 165 is connected by conductor 115 to one end of the running coil 154 of the motor, while the contact 172 of switch 165 is connected by means of conductor 116 with the opposite end of coil 154. Thus, depending on the position of the moving contact 169 of the switch 165, the starting coil 153 may be connected selectively with either end of the running coil 154 to start the motor in either direction.

It will further be observed that the stationary contacts of switches v165 and 166 are cross-connected, contact 171 of switch 165 being connected by conductor 118 to stationary contact 172 of switch 166, and stationary contact 172 of switch 165 being connected by conductor 119' with stationary contact 171 of switch 166. Since the moving contacts 169 of these switches move concurrently between their upper and lower positions, the closing of the starting circuit through contacts 169 and 171 of switch 165 will simultaneously establish a return circuit through contact 172 of switch 165 and contacts 171 and 169 of switch 166 to conductor 120 which leads through the primary of transformer 110 to the return side of the line at 111. In the depressed positions of contactors 169 of switches 165 and 166, the starting and running windings 153 and 154 are reversely connected to each other in circuit between the supply lines 108 and 111.

Switch 167 maintains the running winding 154 en- B ergized after starting winding 153 is cut out through the opening of switch 155. To this end, a conductor 122 extends from conductor 114 to the movable contact 169 of switch 167. Both the upper and lower contacts 171 and 172 of this switch are connected with conductor 123 which leads to the other side of the line at 111.

The secondary 112 of transformer 110 is connected by conductor 125 with the relay coil 80. The other side of this coil is connected by conductor 126 with the upper and lower contacts 171 and 172 of switch 168. The movable contact 169 of this switch is connected by conductor 128 with the limit switch 75 already described. It will be remembered that the movable contact 77 of this normally closed switch is cam operated away from engagement with its fixed contact 76. The follower 22 rides off of the cam 70 to allow the switch to close whenever the screw 26 is displaced axially in either direction. The precise amount of displacement required is adjustable by means of the screw 63 (Fig. 6) which adjusts the position of the cam lobe 70 respecting the cam follower roller 72 on the actuator or lever 73. When the switch 75 is closed, conductor 129 will complete the return circuit to the transformer secondary 112 which delivers an impulse to the coil 80 to achieve the advance of cam for one step. The cam 90 rotates counter clockwise as viewed in Fig. l2. Regardless of the position in which it has stopped, the impulse delivered to coil 80 will advance the cam one step. If the motor 52 has been in operation, this advance will cause it to cease operation. If the motor 52 has been at rest, this advance will cause the motor to start. The direction in which it will start will depend upon whether the follower roller 91 has Ibeen engaged with intermediate portions 97 or 98 of a given cam lobe.

A manual or radio-operated switch 130 is connected in parallel across the limit switch 75 so that impulses may come from this switch rather than from the limit switch. In ordinary operation, the functioning of these switches will alternate, the switch 130 usually providing the impulse which moves the cam to a position for initiating opening or closing operation and limit switch 75 usually providing the impulse for advancing the cam to an intermediate position to open the several switch contacts.

In the diagram, the lamp energizing switch 102 connects with conductor 120 by means of conductor 132 and connects with lamp 107 by means of conductor 133. The fixture location is, of course, optional. In practice, I may mount the lamp 107 directly on the housing 134 which encloses the limit switch and its cam.

Assuming that the door has been raised to the position fragmentarily shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, engagement of the trolley with the spring 380 will have moved the screw 26 to the right as viewed in Fig. 3, until the cam 70 has cleared cam follower roller 72 resulting in the closing of switch 75 to deliver an impulse from the secondary of transformer 110 through the closed contact of switch 168 to the relay coil 80. Response of armature 81 causes pawl 82 to operate ratchet 83 and the stepping cam 90 to move the follower 91 from one extreme position to the intermediate position at which the parts will come to rest. Upon relief of driving pressure, the screw 26 will again be centered by spring 46 whereby cam 70 will engage roller 72 to open switch 75.

Upon the next energization of relay coil 80, which Will then ordinarily be effected by closing switch 130, another impulse delivered to the armature will index the stepping cam 90 one more step, whereby the several switches 165, 166, 1677 168 will all be closed but in the opposite direction from that in which they were closed when the trolley was being moved from the full line position to the dotted line position of Fig. l. Accordingly, the connection of the starting winding to the running winding of motor 52 will be reversed and the motor will actuate the screw 26 inthe opposite direction, movingthe trolley fom-left'fto"rightfasv viewedlin' Figs. l: and 3 to 6'. In'l the position'- of Fig: 6, the shock absorbing spring 38' h'as'been^compressed" and thereaction on the screw 26" has moved'I the' screw f tothe left therebycompressing thel spring47 andiallowingroller'72fv tov drop from cam 70 to closel switch 7'5'2- This will'providethe requisite impulse'whichv will advance the stepping cam 90"' to-its next' position, which wil'l` be an; intermediate position, againopening' all circuits to' the motor and' allowing springs 47 to"expandto-restore the screw 26 to its'normal position thereby reopening; switch 75I and leaving th'ecircuitY in readiness for another' operation.

It will'be noted thatthe'lightl 1017" is energized by cam buttons y'105"y and' switch 102 only in alternate operations offthe feed' screw. It isf possible, however, by rapidly closing the limit'l switch 7 5V or 'the parallel manual switch 130,".without giving 'time for'tlie intervening screw operation', to'turnthe'light onor' offwithou-t'opening or' closing'the door;

It Willbeobserved that' the action of the screw which operates' the" limit'lswitch' may be the' result` of any resistance to trolley movement' and isnot solely the result of'the'en'gagement of'l the trolley with'one of the'springs at'the end'iof'its' stroke; If any' object or person gets beneath' thev descending door', the-resistance oiered to thefdeor'whcn iten'counters theobject' or person' is Suthcient' to" displace" the'screvv'slightly. The sensitivity of this' response` can be'deterrnined by adjusting the manually'adjustable screw'63' (Pigs. 3' and" 6) so that the' cam'4 follower roller' 72 may' be'poised, as" in Fig: 3, at the.veryrnargin'of"the cam 70,' from' which it will drop to closeswitchv 75' whenever there is the' slightest' resistance to' downward' movement' of the' door. Assuming the parts to be adjusted as shown in Fig. 3, there will obviously be differential response'of. the limit switch 75, theswitch respondingmore sensitivelyin the' descending direction ofthe door than in the ascending direction thereof.

A's tar as the rest ofthe mechanism is concerned, it is`v quite immateriallwhether the starting winding of` the motor.` be so connected as to raise the door When-the relay switch iscl'osedin an upward direction 0r whether motor be connected to operate to lower the door when the relay switches are connected to close in an upward direction. The stepping cam as. shown in Fig. 12, is however, somewhatselective, having a sharper drop on the descending side of each lobe than on the ascending side thereof.' The connections are desirably such that the follower roller 91 will drop rapidly from the peak of each cam lobe to` the intermediate portion 97 thereof to stop the door in .its descending movement.

By using the thermal overload switch with which the motor is already provided, I. amable to protect the entire circuit without supplying any additional overload switch. lt will be observed that not only the motor but all of the relay mechanisms are energized through the thermal overload switch 156 so that if and when this switch cuts out, .the entire circuit is deaduntil. the thermal overload switch cools..

The mechanism is` extremely simple andl extremely effective and foolproof inv operation.

lvclaim:

l. In a device `of the character described, the combination' with means providingY away, of a trolley slide reciprocab'le along the way and provided with' a. nut,

a screwextending. along the way and lmeshing with thev nut, bearing means. in which the screw is mounted forrotation and limited' axial rcciprocation, spring thrust receiving means separate fromthe trolley slide and'connected inthrust' relation' to the screw, spring means' in thrust engagement with the springthrust receiving means tobias the screw'to. an .intermediate position from which itfmay. bedisplaced axially in'. either direction, a motor connected; with' ther screwfortlre operation' thereof', anvv actuated" partzconnectedwith the trolley to be actuated* thereby in' the movemeutof' the' trolley along the wayv resulting-from'the interaction ofthe screw and the trolley nut, trolley slide limit meansxed to the way in the' path' of trolley slide'movement, a motor control switch, and' means for transmitting axial motion of the screw to open the'switch, the switch being opened to arrest screw rotationwhenever the screw is displaced either because of trolley engagement with said limit means in normal operation orV because of abnormal resistance to trolley movement'at any other point.

2. The device'of claim l in' which said springA thrust' receiving' means has shoulder means, the switch actuating means comprising a cam and fingers connected' With' the cam and embracing' said shoulder means to aecommodate rotative movement of the shoulder means with the screw while respondingito axial displacement of the shoulder means with the screw.

3. In aA device of the character described, the combination with means providing a way, of a trolley slide' reciprocable.alongtheway and provided with a nut, a screw extending along the way and meshing with the nut, bearing means in which'the screw is mounted for rotation-and hmited axial reciprocation, spring thrust receiving means separate from the trolley slide and connected in thrust reiationto the screw, spring means in thrust` meansy for actuating. the control switch upon axial dis-L placement of the screw responsive to reaction developed. by said stop meansr to movement of the trolley slide, the meansfor actuating the control `switch comprisingan electricaLrelay, an operating 'circuit and a switch control ling the Aoperatingcircuit and provided with a movable contactor, a cam, means connecting the cam to the screw, a cam follower connected with the actuator and engaged with the cam in the undisplaced position of the screw to maintain said switch open in said position.

4. In a device ofthe character described, the combination' with means providing a way, of a trolley slide reciprocable along the way and provided with a nut, a screw extending along'theway and meshingwith the nut,4 bearing means in which the screw is mounted for rota.- tion and limited axial reciprocation, springthrust receiving meansA separate from the trolley shde and connected.

in thrust relation to the screw, spring means in thrustengagement withthe spring thrust receiving means tobias the screw to an intermediate position from which it maybe displaced axially in either direction, a motor connected with thev screw for the operation thereof, an ac-A tuated part' connected with the trolley to be actuated thereby in the movement of the trolley along the way resulting from the interaction' of the screw and theV trolley nut, trolley slide stop means fixed in the path' of trolley slide movement, a motor control switch, andv means for actuating the control switch upon axial displacement'of'the screw responsive to reaction developed by said stop means to movement of the trolley shde,

said switch-actuatingmeans comprising a cam-carrying' slide reciprocable along the way, a cam adjustably mounted' on' the" slide for movement respecting the slide in adirection generally parallel to the extent of the screw, a camfollower in the path of movement of the cam with the slide, said follower having a switch-actuating connec tion, and means connecting the cam slide with the saidv ange of the screw for the actuation of the cam slide-upon axial displacement ofthe screw.

5. The device of claim 1 in which the way comprises a split tube, said stop means being adjustable longitudinally of the split tube and comprising an abutment within the tube, a bolt connected to the abutment and projecting through the split in the tube and a clamp plate externally of the tube spanning across the tube split and means threaded to the bolt for imposing clamping pressure against the plate and tube, said clamp plate having a sharp edge adapted to interlock with the tube.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with means providing a way, of a trolley slide reciprocable along the way and provided with a nut, a screw extending along the way and meshing with the nut, bearing means in which the screw is mounted for rotation and limited axial reciprocation, spring thrust receiving means separate from the trolley slide and connected in thrust relation to the screw, spring means in thrust engagement with the spring thrust receiving means to bias the screw to an intermediate position from which it may be displaced axially in either direction, a motor connected with the screw for the operation thereof, an actuated part connected with the trolley to be actuated thereby in the movement of the trolley along the way resulting from the interaction of the screw and the trolley nut, trolley slide stop means fixed in the path of trolley slide movement, a motor control switch, and means for actuating the control switch upon axial displacement of the screw responsive to reaction developed by said stop means to movement of the trolley slide, said way being provided with bearing slides disposed intermediate the trolley slide and with bearings for the screw at the ends of the way, the bearing slides having links connecting them with each other at a spacing half of the range of movement of the troley slide and being disposed in the path of the trolley slide to be engaged by the trolley slide and moved thereby in the course of trolley slide movement.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with means providing a way, of a trolley slide reciprocable along the way and provided with a nut, a screw extending along the way and meshing with the nut, bearing means in which the screw is mounted for rotation and limited axial reciprocation, spring thrust receiving means separate from the trolley slide and connected in thrust relation to the screw, spring means in thrust engagement with the spring thrust receiving means to bias the screw to an intermediate position from which it may be displaced axially in either direction, a motor connected with the screw for the operation thereof, an actuated part connected with the trolley to be actuated thereby in the movement of the trolley along the way resulting from the interaction ofthe screw and the trolley nut, trolley slide stop means fixed in the path of trolley slide movement, a motor control switch, and means for actuating the control switch upon axial displacement of the screw responsive to reaction developed by said stop means to movement of the trolley slide, said spring thrust receiving means of the screw comprising shoulder means disposed adjacent one end of the screw, thrust bearings encircling the screw adjacent the shouldered means, the opposed springs comprising compression springs confined between said thrust bearings and the said shouldered means, a cam slide mounted for reciprocation along the way and having fingers engaged with the shouldered means whereby said cam slide is constrained to partake of the axial movement of the shouldered means and the screw, a cam on the cam slide, a cam follower with which the cam is normally engaged in the said intermediate position of the screw, said cam follower having a support constituting switch actuating means, and a switch actuated by said actuating means and having electrical connections for the operation of the control switch as a part of the said means for opening the control switch upon axial displacement of the screw.

8. The device of claim 7 in which the means for opening the control switch further includes a stepping relay having a coil in circuit with the switch operated by said actuator, a stepping cam provided with a ratchet and an actuating pawl, an armature associated with the coil and connected with the pawl for the stepping advance of said last mentioned cam, said control switch comprising relay contacts having actuating means connected for oscillation by said stepping cam.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a trolley 'way and trolley, of a screw extending along said way and for which said trolley is provided with a nut, bearings mounting said screw for rotation and limited axial reciprocation, spring means for maintaining the screw normally in a position from which it is subject to axial displacement, a motor con nected with the screw for rotation thereof, a part connected with the trolley to be actuated thereby, a first switch having an actuator connected to be operated upon the axial displacement of the screw, a relay having a coil connected with the iirst switch to be controlled as to energization by said first switch, said relay being provided with switch contacts operatively connected for control of the motor, the motor being reversible and the relay contact having circuits for the actuation of the motor in opposite directions, and an armature operatively associated with the relay coil and including means for the stepping movement of the relay contacts through a cycle which includes the alternate operation of the motor in opposite directions with intervening intervals of dwell.

10. The device of claim 9 in which the relay comprises a plurality of switches each provided with relatively fixed and movable contacts, a common actuator for the several movable contacts, a Istepping cam having a ratchet and a pawl engaged with the ratchet and connected with the relay armature, said cam including a succession of lobes each including a low point, an intermediate point, a high point and an intermediate point, and cooperating cam follower means connected with said common actuator for the advance of the cam lobe to position the said points sequentially in engagement with the follower, each of the high and low points closing a motor-operating circuit to actuate the motor in one direction or the other and each of said intermediate points representing a position in which the movable contacts of the several switches are open and the motor is inactive.

11. In a control mechanism device, the combination with a screw mounted for rotation and reciprocation, a trolley having a nut meshing with the screw, means providing a way in which the trolley is guided, an operating connection leading from the trolley, a reversible motor in driving connection with the screw, a motor circuit including a relay having a control coil and a gang switch, said switch including moving contact means having a forward driving position, a reverse driving position and open circuit positions respecting said motor and its circuit, means for actuating the moving contact means in a cycle including both of said driving positions with an intermediate dwell in the open circuit positions in advance of its movement to each of said driving positions, and two separate switches in parallel for energizing said relay coil, one of which switches is provided Awith an actuator connected to said screw to energize said coil upon each displacement of said screw axially, the other of said parallel switches being dependent upon conscious manipulation for its closing.

l2. The device of claim ll in which the motor is provided wtih a thermal overload cutout through which said relay is energized.

13. The device of claim 1l in which the relay comprises an armature having a pawl connected thereto and the common actuator for the moving contact means of said gang switch has a cam follower lever connected ratchet for step-by-step advance, .each lobe includingy at:

least four points of dwellxincludinga low point, a' high". point. and intermediate points intervening: between each high point andv each low point,..a cam follower: connected?.

with the lever andcngaged with the lobe cam to dwell` at' said intermediate, high, intermediate, and low'points sequentially in the course of the step-by-stepI advancef of thef cam by said pawl.

14. Inra device of the character described, meansproviding a way, a trolley reciprocable along theway and provided with a nut, screw means extending along; the way and meshingwith'the nut,.bearing.means-in' whichthe screw means is mounted for rotation and: limited'l axial reciprocation, a motor connected to the screw. means for the operationthereof; spring: thrustzreceiving; means on said screw means, motor controLmeans includ= ing a' switch actuatedby axial movementof' said screw means, trolley slide stops xed respecting the wayy and spaced at opposite ends of trolley slide traVeLspring. seats spacedV at opposite sides ofl saidspringzthrust receiv-y ing means, a rst set of coil springs coaxiallwith said screw means and bearing.` on saidseatsaandaon saidspring thrust receiving means to center Said screw means re,- specting its axial movement, and a second setoiv coil springs coaxial with said screw means andidisposednb'e; tween said trolley slide and said stops, said'. rst; and` secondtspring sets cooperating. in transmitting, the reacrtionthrust ofI said trolley slide againstfsaidstopsito said spring thrust receiving means for appropriate. actuation of said switch.

15, In a device of the character described, means-.providing away, a trolley reciprocal-ily movable. alongi theV way and provided with aY nut, screw means extending 35 along.V the .wayandi meshing: 'with'.y thesnut, bearing; means near.y the .ends of.: thescrew;l meansfin which the screw-2' means is mountedl for" rotation; ,said1 way lieingafprovided'f with screw bearing slides Yan opposite: sides of the trolleyf and having bearing portions in which said screw means.;v

is rotatable, said bearing slides having; links: intercom nectingi them in spaced relation.

161 In a'. device of the character; described, thesfcombination of a screw and'hearingsin whichzthescrewifis mounted for rotation a-ndzfor axialldisplacement; a-motor havingxrotative drivingzconnectionizwith said screw, v drive;l interrupting means forf arresting; the; drive: to y; the; screw; means biasing the screw against axialdisplacernent; axnut'-, meshing with. the screw and havingieed movement-faxially thereof, meansV for transmittingzaxial motimofzsaid screw to said vdriveeinterrupting means: fortheiinterrupi-v` tion of drive to` saidi screw upon axialA displacement; ofi said screw both .in .limitingmormal nut feedv and:A inzemexeY gencyfdue to excessive resistanceto nut' movement, and axed stop disposedlin the path of? nut; movement and: withrespect to whichthe screw isn displaceableaxiallyf; said stop thereby causing. the'actuation: of said driveinterrupting. means at the limit ofr'normal nut feed:A

References Citedin the. le of thispatenh UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,942,712 Kirsch 1an.4 9;` 11934@ 1,969,926 Eickhoi` Aug. 141,.A 19314@ 2,095,688y Ballentine Oct. 12;,1937- 2,253,170 Dunhamf Aug. 19,1941. 2,496,094 Johnson Jan. 31, 19501 2,504,408 Griln Apr..18-,-` 1950; 2;676,29,4 Wilcox Apr. 20, 1954.r` 

